Wests Tigers tipped to equal the record of the winless Roosters of 1966

Things are bad for the Wests Tigers, and punters are tipping it will get worse with 90% of them betting on the club equalling a 57-year-old record.

NRL 2023 RD05 Brisbane Broncos v Wests Tigers – Adam Doueihi, Dejection. Picture: NRL Photos

Can it possibly get any worse for Wests Tigers?

A staggering 90% of punters have plunged money on a betting market which offers odds on Wests Tigers failing to win a single game this season.

Now that’s embarrassing.

The TAB has released a market on when Wests Tigers – 0-5 after five rounds – will finally win a game this season.

And zero wins has been the best-backed option by punters as Wests Tigers enter a big Easter Monday game against Parramatta at Accor Stadium.

The odds of a winless season at Concord are $29 but it hasn’t stopped punters from backing the unlikely event.

The Wests Tigers are a chance to finish the season winless. Picture: NRL Photos

Eastern Suburbs was the last team back in 1966 to go through a season without posting a win – 18 games, 18 losses.

In the modern era. Newcastle secured just one win and one draw in 2016. They only side the Knights beat that year? Wests Tigers.

“It would be a remarkable outcome if they were to go winless an entire season, but punters were quick to take up the option when we opened the market for it,” said the

TAB’s Rohan Welsh.

“Zero wins holds over 90% of the market.

“The only other option they’re interested in is the Tigers beating Penrith in round nine but almost all the money is on zero wins.

“It’s a shame as there had been renewed optimism through the pre-season with some big name additions to the pack and a belief that Tim Sheens could work some of his magic from the mid 2000s.

“It reads for a tough season unless they can turn things around quickly as they’ve already shortened into $1.80 favourites in TAB’s most losses market.”

Former Balmain fullback Garry Jack thinks Wests Tigers will in fact win matches this season – but only a few.

“I think they’ll win some games because an opposition team will probably underestimate them,” Jack said. “They will surprise them. The Tigers might jag a couple of games, one or two.

“The competition is split into a top eight and bottom eight. We aren’t a top eight side, no way in the world.

“Is it correct that they have won one from their (last) 18 games? I know stats aren’t the be-all-and-end-all but my goodness, one from 18, that’s not very good is it?”

After the Eels game, Wests Tigers have a bye before games against Manly, Penrith, St George Illawarra, Souths and North Queensland.

Wests Tigers opened the season paying $51 to win the premiership before drifting to $67 when the NRL draw was released.

The Tigers were paying $101 to claim the grand final after round three, $126 after round four and are now paying $201.

The club has endured a horrid season on and off the field.